Swamiji's Gurus

Swamiji has been truly blessed to have the association of some amazingly powerful and profoundly spiritual Gurus. When each Guru had prepared Swamiji for another, they instructed him to go on to the next. Swamiji has wanted nothing more than to serve his Gurus, so he naturally bowed to their will for him, though it was never his desire to leave his Guru for another. Each of these self-realized saints has a truly unique personality and way of teaching. Each was perfect for the lessons and blessings they brought to Swamiji. Without their constant blessings and inner guidance, Swamiji's successes would not have been possible. Swamiji has risen above all odds to master Vedas, Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish at a very young age living apart from his Gurus in America. Many Indians train formally and directly with a master in any one of these disciplines for many decades before they attain mastery. Swamiji's profound success in his path of spiritual study has surely been due to their endless grace. He offers the fruits of his efforts to the fulfillment of their view of peace for the world. They are the light of his light, which has been an inspiration to so many.

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

ABOUT GURUDEVA'S WORK

When Gurudeva returned to America he began preparing teachings to help correct the many misconceptions of Western Scholars about Hinduism. Gurudeva codified his teachings into three deeply elaborate books detailing every aspect of the spiritual life for Hindus called "Dancing with Siva," "Living with Siva," and "Merging with Siva." Gurudeva wrote dozens of other books and pamphlets and his Sannyasins are working to bring out English translations of the Saivagamas. In addition to these teachings, Gurudeva provided support and guidance to the growing numbers of Hindu people in the west. He started dozens of charity organizations and helped found over 50 Hindu Temples. His Ashram, located on the beautiful Island of Kauai (Hawaii) is now home to dozens of Sannyasins and Brahmacharis. There the monastic community is working with the help of shilpis (stone carvers) under the guidance of V. Ganapathi Sthapati to complete a grand solid stone Shiva "Iraivan" Temple. This Temple is said to be the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The Shiva lingam itself is a huge Swayambu (formed by Nature) Quartz Crystal point found by Gurudeva on the Ashram land. This lingam weighs over 700 lbs and is said to be a wish-fulfilling vigraha (image) of Lord Shiva. When Gurudeva attained Mahasamadhi on Dipavali night in 2001 he passed on the lineage to his senior-most disciple Bodhinatha Veylonswami, who is said to be the living embodiment of Thirumular. See Gurudeva's Website

ABOUT GURDEVA

Gurudeva Subrahmuniyaswami was a deeply spiritual master. He was the 162nd Satguru of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's kailasa parampara. This is the lineage of Thirumular, who is one of 63 Nayanars (Tamil Saiva Saints) and author of the deeply revered Thirumantiram. The Nandinatha Sampradaya is also the lineage of Patanjali, who authored the Yoga Sutras. Both of these saints and this lineage have deep conections to Chidambaram Temple in Tamil Nadu. Subrahmuniyaswami's Guru was Siva Yogaswami from Sri Lanka. Subramuniyaswami's parents died when he was very young. In time he took up a study of Yoga and traveled to India and then to Sri Lanka in search of his Guru. In the forests near Jaffna, he gave away his clothes and entered into some caves to meditate. Before physically meeting his Guru, Subramuniyaswami had the realization of the Divine Self. He attributed this to his Guru's inner guidance. Yogaswami astonished his disciples by giving diksha to the young blond-haired American, and telling them that he was their Guru. When Siva Yogaswami had Mahasamadhi, the Sri Lankan devotees asked their Guru to return. He told them that he would not, but he visited them in dreams through which he instructed, healed, and initiated the disciples. A few years after Yogaswami's Mahasamadhi, the civil war in Sri Lanka became quite intense. With tensions high between Hindus and Buddhists, most Hindus, who could afford to, fled the country and moved to the western countries like Canada, USA, and Australia. When these Hindus came to the west, their Guru already had begun work to build an ashram.

Bodhinatha Veylonswami (Right) with Swamiji at the Ganapati Temple Nashville

Though Gananathamritananda Swami never had the physical darshan of Gurudeva Subramuniyaswami before his Mahasamadhi in 2001, he says that Gurudeva's teachings and blessings have been the guiding light and power for his own work. Though Swamiji has no formal association with this Sampradaya, it is his extremely great fortune to continue to serve this great lineage in various ways.

Mata Amritananda-mayi Devi

Ammachi dress for Devi Bhava Ceremony

When Swamiji first met Ammachi around 2003, it was a life changing experience for him. When he saw her, he knew that her voice was one of the familiar voices which had been guiding him since his childhood. Though he did not have the opportunity to spend much physical time with his Amma, he spoke to her incessantly. He desired nothing more than to be with his Guru. When he came to her to have darshan she said "Why have you come to receive? You are the same as I; go and give to the people. When you give there is no concern about receiving." Her instructions to remain apart and to teach and bless the people he encountered were difficult for him to bear. In those days, Swamiji spent all day sitting in the local temple crying and praying for his Guru's darshan. This sadhana has helped Swamiji to be able to see his Guru in all things. This very great saint blessed Swamiji with the vision of God. She is responsible for Swamiji's experience of the Truths of Vedas.

ABOUT AMMACHI

Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Ammachi) was born in a small fishing village in Southern Kerala. When she was born the midwife thought she was dead because she did not cry. It was noticed then that the new born baby was smiling. She spent her early years absorbed in intense spiritual sadhana and was often found in such a deep internal state that she could not be aroused from it. As a young child she spent her time bathing, feeding, and caring for the sick people in her village. By the age of five she was already composing deeply mystical bhajans. She troubled her family by taking food and other items from her own home and giving them to the poor. She kept her family awake all night at times singing bhajans. Though they were concerned about their daughters strange behaviors and even beat her to get her to stop doing such things, nothing could deter her from her mission to serve the poor and needy. When her parents decided she should marry, she said that she wished to remain pure for her Lord Krishna, and even chased away prospective grooms with a broom. She makes no claims about herself, but is honored by her devotees as a living Goddess. Ammachi says "My sole mission is to love and serve one and all." In this age of Kali Yuga it is extremely rare to find Spiritual Masters who win the support of the public. Ammachi brings her teachings of love and service to hundreds of thousands of devotees world-wide. She has received numerous awards for her humanitarians services. She has won the support of many famous and influential people. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam donated the first 10 months of his salary as the president of India to Ammachi's charities. Ammachi's Indian Webpage Ammachi's American Webpage

Dakshinamurti

Shri Medha Dakshinamurti

When Swamiji's Guru's had prepared him for the grace of his Guru, Dakshinamurti, the formless Guru approached Swamiji and asked him to accept him as his final Guru. Swamiji had no desire to leave his living Gurus but this was their will for him. Swamiji has said that if not for the grace of his living Gurus he could never had been prepared to receive teachings, instructions, and initiations from his Guru. Swamiji sees his Guru within himself and throughout the world in all people and even inanimate objects. It is this Guru's vision for the world that Swamiji serves. It has been the Lord Dakshinamurti all along who has blessed and worked through the living Gurus. Swamiji still encounters his other Gurus often and has had the blessing to meet with many great Saints. Guru Dakshinamurti is the teacher who guides, advises, and compels Swamiji's works today.

Swamiji teaches his students to know the grace his Guru, the true essence of all, by worshiping and serving the Lord in all things. He has been blessed to be given the darshan of this silent teacher. He bows to him in all things. When asked by people "Who is your Guru?" Swamiji often answers "You are."To him it is natural to bow to the Lord in all things. Every thing in the world is a perfect manifestation of the Lord's will to lead souls back to Him. Everything is a great blessing and this is a very beautiful realization that comes for the student who seeks the Lord's blessings in all circumstances.

ABOUT DAKSHINAMURTI

Dakshinamurti is the Lord and the formless absolute. He is the Guru of all Guru's. He is the Lord Shiva in the form of teacher throughout the world. He is subtle and hard to see. Dakshinamurti is said to be the Southward facing Lord. Ramana Maharishi has interpreted this name to mean "Dakshina" "capable;" but "amurti" without form." The Puranas tell us that the four sons of Lord Brahma; Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanaatana, and Sanatkumaara where performing tapasya to gain knowledge of the Absolute. They were blessed by Lord Dakshinamurti with his darshan (vision). He is subtle and hard to know, but blesses those who seek him from all places. He is depicted sitting under the banyan tree, with matted locks. He is worshiped by the four sons of Lord Brahma. He wears antelope skin, rudrakshas, and vibhuti. He wears the Crescent Moon and Sun at his shikha (top-knot). He hold rudraksha maalam, a scripture, damaroo, and fire. He has cobras around him and shows the mystical Jnana Mudra (gesture of knowledge). He is depicted stepping on Apasmara, a Demon who is the embodiment of ignorance. Dakshinamurti Mantras gurave sarva lokaanaM bhiShaje bhava roginam . nidhaye sarva vidyaanaam shrii dakshiNaamuurtaye namah .. I bow to the Formless-doer, pervading the whole world. He is the source of all knowledge and frees the soul from disease. He is the Guru in all things leading all souls to liberation. His is the Guru of Gurus and to all the three worlds.tat-dakShiNaaya vidmahe guru-muurtaye dhiimahi . tanna shshivaH pracodayaat .We meditate on the enabler who leads souls to aatma-jnaana (knowledge of the Supreme Self). We concentrate on the form of the Guru in all things. May that Shiva (Infinite Consciousness) bring light to our consciousness. OM namo bhagavate dakshinaa-muurtaye mahyam shriiyam madhaam prajnaam prayaccha svaahaa ..OM I bow in offering to the resplendent Dakshinamurti, who is the giver of Respect, Prosperity, Intelligence, and Wisdom.

Swamiji

There can be nothing really more to say. Swamiji is no one. His Guru's are everything. Any good that has occurred through him has originated in his Gurus. They have shown him how to humble himself and how to seek the Lord. He came close to them and their Love burned away what stains had burdened him. He does not know why he has been so blessed to have the association with such Saints. They have been his God, Mother, Father, friend, guide, support, and strength. Swamiji's work would not be possible without their grace. He strives daily to come closer to their Holy feet each day and is eternally gracious for the light they have shared with him. A Satguru demonstrates all the attributes of God. Through the Satguru the disciple comes to see what cannot be seen; he accomplishes what cannot be grasped; he attains what cannot be had. It is Swamiji's great fortune to be dedicated to their service. He works diligently to spread the peace and bliss that his Gurus have shared with him.